Neurosurgery最新文献

Minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery offers many advantages including reduced patient morbidity and quicker return to normal life. Endoscopic lumbar spine surgery, sometimes termed "ultra" minimally invasive, further pushes the envelope on reducing operative time, blood loss, and recovery time. Endoscopy offers the additional advantage to the surgeon of placing the surgeon's eye not 50 cm away through the lens of loupes or a microscope, but right at the spine pathology in high definition. Uniportal approach involves a single incision through which the endoscope and instruments are passed. Biportal approach involves two incisions, one for the endoscope and one for the instruments. In what follows we review the indications and efficacy of these procedures with case examples.

Background and objectives: Recent studies indicate that 123 I-iomazenil ( 123 I-IMZ) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) can demonstrate neuronal viability. Although cognitive dysfunction has been recognized as an important issue in adult patients with moyamoya disease (MMD), no standard neuroradiological methods to define such conditions have been established. We examined the relationship between cognitive function and 123 I-IMZ SPECT before and after revascularization in patients with MMD.

Methods: The study participants were 16 adult patients with MMD whose cerebrovascular reactivities were decreased only on the surgical sides of combined revascularization. Cognitive function was examined using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE; cutoff: 27) and the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB; cutoff: 16) before and at 3 to 6 months after surgery. 123 I-iodoamphetamine ( 123 I-IMP) SPECT with acetazolamide challenge and 123 I-IMZ SPECT were performed concurrently while evaluating cognitive function. The radioreactivities of 123 I-IMZ SPECT in regions with decreased cerebrovascular reactivities on 123 I-IMP SPECT were investigated using affected-to-contralateral side asymmetry ratio (IMZ-ACR).

Results: Twelve patients showed normal cognitive function (MMSE: 29.8 ± 0.4, FAB: 18 ± 0) before surgery. No evident laterality of 123 I-IMZ uptake was seen (IMZ-ACR: 0.98 ± 0.04). Neither cognitive function nor 123 I-IMZ SPECT worsened after surgery (MMSE: 29.8 ± 0.3, FAB: 18 ± 0, IMZ-ACR: 1.00 ± 0.04). By contrast, 4 patients presented cognitive dysfunction (MMSE: 24.3 ± 3.9, FAB: 14.8 ± 2.7) before revascularization. Preoperative imaging of these patients showed decreased 123 I-IMZ uptake, and their IMZ-ACRs (0.83 ± 0.08) were significantly lower than those of the normal group. After revascularization, cognitive functions and 123 I-IMZ uptake tended to ameliorate (MMSE: 27.5 ± 1.7, FAB: 16.3 ± 2.2, IMZ-ACR: 0.94 ± 0.09).

Conclusion: Preoperative cognitive function was associated with 123 I-IMZ uptake in adult patients with MMD. After revascularization, cognitive function could be recovered in the viable areas of the brain, which is consistent with 123 I-IMZ SPECT findings.

Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is traditionally performed with the patient in the lateral decubitus position for interbody implant insertion and indirect decompression. In cases requiring 360-degree fusion or direct decompression, the patient is repositioned to the prone position during surgery, a technique referred to as dual-position LLIF (DP-L). To improve efficiency and eliminate the need for repositioning, surgeons have adopted single-position approaches, completing the entire procedure either in the lateral decubitus or prone position. This explores the advancements in LLIF and single-position LLIF. Comparing both single position lateral decubitus LLIF and single position prone (P-SPS) to the traditional DP-L. A narrative review of the literature on single-position surgery (SPS) LLIF was conducted to provide an overview of its key aspects and clinical applications. The review included studies comparing SPS lateral and SPS prone to DP-L, encompassing systematic reviews, meta-analyses, retrospective studies, and case series. Additional studies deemed relevant for a thorough review were also included. No randomized controlled trials were identified or included in this review. Lateral single-position surgery and P-SPS have shown reductions in operative times and hospital length of stay compared with DP LLIF. In addition, both techniques improved estimated blood loss, complication rates, and radiographic outcomes. However, the statistical significance of these findings varied inconsistently across the published studies. The development of LLIF represents a notable advancement in spine surgery. SPS builds on this foundation, offering potential improvements over the original technique. While SPS has demonstrated certain advantages, there remains room for further refinement and optimization in its application.

Background and objectives: Pediatric intracranial space-occupying lesions are common, with prognoses improving markedly in recent years, significantly extending survival. As such, there is an imperative to pay increased attention to the postoperative cognitive functions and brain network alterations in these children because these factors significantly influence their quality of life. Temporal variability (TV) analysis of brain networks captures the full extent of resting-state activities, reflecting cognitive functions and rehabilitation potential. However, previous research rarely uses TV analyses and most focus on adults or children after multidisciplinary treatments, not reflecting the combined effect caused by neurosurgery only and self-repair. This study gives our insights into this field from a holistic perspective.

Methods: We studied 35 children with intracranial space-occupying lesions, analyzing pre- and postsurgery MRI and cognitive tests. We used TV analysis to assess changes and correlated imaging indicators with cognitive performance.

Results: We observed a tendency for cognitive recovery after about 3 months postsurgery, primarily in the domains of social cognition and nonverbal reasoning. TV analysis of brain networks indicated increased nodal variability within systems such as the visual and sensorimotor networks, which are integral to external interactions. Correlative analysis showed that alterations in certain occipital regions were associated with changes in social cognition and nonverbal reasoning.

Conclusion: These findings suggest significant intrinsic repair in cognitive functions and brain networks at around 3 months postneurosurgery in children. This study not only enriches our comprehension of postoperative cognitive and brain network self-repair processes in children but also furnishes potential therapeutic targets for rehabilitation interventions and establishes a theoretical foundation for proactive surgical interventions.

Background and objectives: Spinal chordomas are primary bone tumors where surgery remains the primary treatment. However, their low incidence, lack of evidence, and late disease presentation make them challenging to manage. Here, we report the postoperative outcomes of a large cohort of patients after surgical resection, investigate predictors for overall survival (OS) and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) times, and trend functional outcomes over multiple time periods.

Methods: Retrospective review of all patients followed for spinal chordoma at a quaternary spinal oncology center from 2003 to 2023 was included. Data were collected regarding demographics, preoperative and perioperative management, and follow-up since initial definitive surgery. Primary outcomes were OS and LRFS, whereas secondary outcomes were functional deficits.

Results: One hundred one patients had an average follow-up of 6.0 ± 4.2 years. At the time of census, 25/101 (24.8%) had experienced a recurrence and 10/101 (9.9%) had died. After surgery, patients experienced a significant decrease in pain over time, but rates of sensory deficits, weakness, and bowel/bladder dysfunction remained static. Tumors ≥100 cm 3 (hazard ratio (HR) = 5.89, 95% CI 1.72-20.18, P = .005) and mobile spine chordomas (HR = 7.73, 95% CI 2.09-28.59, P = .002) are related to worse LRFS, whereas having neoadjuvant radiotherapy is associated with improved LRFS (HR = 0.09, 95% CI 0.01-0.88, P = .038). On the other hand, being age ≥65 years was associated with decreased OS (HR = 16.70, 95% CI 1.54-181.28, P = .021).

Conclusion: Surgeons must often weigh the pros and cons of en bloc resection and sacrificing important but affected native tissues. Our findings can provide a benchmark for counseling patients with spinal chordoma. Tumors ≥100 cm 3 appear to have a 5.89-times higher risk of recurrence, mobile spine chordomas have a 7.73 times higher risk, and neoadjuvant radiotherapy confers an 11.1 times lower risk for local recurrence. Patients age ≥65 years at surgery have a 16.70 times higher risk of mortality than those <65 years.

Background and objectives: Ruptured aneurysms visualized by vessel wall MRI (VW-MRI) exhibit characteristic aneurysm wall enhancement (AWE). A secondary bulge of the aneurysmal wall, called a bleb, is often the site of rupture in ruptured aneurysms. We hypothesized that a higher degree of AWE would identify the rupture point in aneurysms with multiple blebs.

Methods: AWE was quantitatively analyzed in consecutive ruptured intracranial aneurysms with multiple blebs (31 aneurysms with a total of 72 blebs) using VW-MRI. A 3-dimensional T1-weighted fast spin-echo sequence was obtained after contrast media injection, and the contrast ratio of the aneurysm wall against the pituitary stalk (CR stalk ) was calculated as the AWE indicator. Bleb characteristics, including CR stalk and wall shear stress (WSS), were compared between ruptured and unruptured blebs. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for ruptures were calculated by conditional logistic regression analysis.

Results: Ruptured blebs had a higher CR stalk and lower WSS compared with unruptured blebs. CR stalk remained significantly associated with the bleb rupture status in the conditional logistic regression (adjusted odds ratio 3.9, 95% CIs 1.6-9.7).

Conclusion: AWE is associated with the bleb rupture status independent of WSS. Contrast-enhanced VW-MRI may be a useful noninvasive tool for identifying the rupture point and guiding the treatment strategy.

Background and objectives: Craniosynostosis can lead to progressive cranial and skull base deformities and can be associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP), ophthalmological manifestations, behavioral changes, and developmental delay. Most published data on the incidence of elevated ICP include older children undergoing open surgical correction. Endoscopic-assisted release of fused sutures with postoperative helmet therapy is an established method for managing craniosynostosis presenting at an early age; however, the immediate effect of this approach on ICP in a young cohort has not been previously reported.

Methods: Prospective data on 52 children undergoing endoscopic-assisted release of stenosed cranial sutures were included. Individuals were excluded if they underwent open correction or had previous cranial surgery. Individuals underwent a standardized endoscopic approach for each suture type. ICP was measured using an intraparenchymal sensor both before creation of the neosuture and after complete release of the stenosed suture. An ICP reading of >10 mm Hg was considered elevated.

Results: The mean age was 5.3 months, range 1 to 32 months, and 94% was younger than 12 months. The mean opening pressure was 12.7 mm Hg, and the mean closing pressure was 2.9 mm Hg. Opening ICP ≥10 mm Hg was present in 58%, ≥15 mm Hg was present in 31%, and ≥20 mm Hg was present in 23%. No patient had an ICP above 10 mm Hg at closing. The mean percentage change in ICP among all craniosynostosis cases was a 64% decrease. Optic disk swelling was identified in 28 children preoperatively and improved in 22 children at follow-up.

Conclusion: Elevated ICP may occur in infants with craniosynostosis at higher rates than previously reported. Endoscopic-assisted craniectomy has an immediate effect on lowering ICP and improving postoperative ophthalmological findings.